Back to Lessons

One of the big benefits to being back in the PNW and specifically in the area I am in, is that I'm back within easy distance of Jim, my previous dressage instructor. I knew that budget wise, whatever I did, I wanted to include regular lessons with him. Now that I am mobile, I can meet him at public arenas AND I can group lesson with Cortney. 

 Gwyn's previous shenanigans from Montana and last year were not present when I loaded her last evening. She seemed excited. We got to the public arena early. The drizzling rain was on and off and she had already mostly dried on the 20 min drive.

Low clouds were obscuring the views of the Cascades and her foothills. I started grooming and tacking up while waiting for Cortney and Jim to arrive.

 Amira and Cortney arrived not long after. Gwyn and Amira lived together when I first got Gwyn. Both Cortney and I wondered if they would remember each other.

"HI FRIEND!" - Gwyn

"Sure, I'll sniff your nose." - Gwyn

*kick and squeal*

 Jury's out on whether they remembered one another.

The arena we met at is in Fall City. It's part of the county park system and is free to use. There is a track around the perimeter (like.. a legit race track) and a sand arena in the middle. The arena maintenance leaves a lot to be desired and the footing was like ridged concrete where they had dragged and then the clay footing had just... stayed that way.

Gwyn was incredibly foot sore and we quickly moved the lesson to the grass outside the arena where she was much happier and more willing to stretch down into contact.  We kept the lesson mostly to the walk, but did trot a little bit on the grass. 

 One thing I'd always suspected but only just now verified, Jim is a HUGE fan of Mary Wanless and that style and theory of teaching. When I asked him about it he got super excited that I had kind of independently discovered her while I was away. He made me promise we'd swap books if I had any he didn't and vice versa. (Have I mentioned that he is the best?).

 We pretty much worked on me for the lesson (rider forms that horse, and all that jazz).
Take away notes:

• I am carrying my hands too low, I need to think about holding a tray. This will create proper elbow bend
• I need to silence the movement in my upper torso (shoulders especially) and translate that into elbow movement to move with contact
• Sink my weight into my seat more by breathing differently. It's kind of like taking a deeper breath and not really holding it but holding that muscle movement. Do this WITHOUT raising my shoulders *****  He had me feel how his latissimus dorsi moved when he demonstrated. I will be practicing this alllll the time off horse.
• When aiding in bend, don't raise my heel to apply pressure. This is a bad habit
• While holding my dressage whip, thumb on top of the whip handle. This will allow the whip to naturally rest behind my knee to be ready as an aid.
• During posting, I need to slow my roll. And go up rather than forward. 

I think that pretty much covers the topics. I'll be lessoning with Cortney ever other week so I'll have some time to practice things.

Once this footing gets a little more forgiving there WILL be canter sets at this track

I promise we work on things. We also shoot the shit.